Mount Elgon

With its highest peak at an altitude of 4,400m, Mountain Elgon has for years been a big tourist attraction. The volcanic soils on the slopes of the mountain support the thriving of different animal and plant species. Vast mountain slopes are occupied by the Bagisu or Bamasaba people who refer to the mountain as Mountain Masaba and have a big cultural attachment to this giant of nature.

While the Mountain Elgon National Park is home to mammal species like the Blue monkeys and black and White Columbus, it is more popular for being a rare bird and plant sanctuary. The park houses over 300 bird species including the Lammergeyer, a bearded and large bird of prey. The park is also home to Moorland Francolin, Black-shouldered Kite, Tacazze Sunbird, Moustached Green Tinkerbird and the famous Alpine Chat. The Jackson’s Francolin and Black-collared Apalis

Bird watching aside, Mountain Elgon National Park is famous for its guided nature walks, hikes to the top of the mountain, and the visiting the caves that penetrate the great mountain. One of the nature walks trails passes through the tropical and bamboo forest with sights of primates, birds and rare trees like the Elgon teak and olive. The other trail leads to Chebonet falls.